Beehive baby spoons are simple, sweet and make the perfect heirloom gift. They're also heavy duty (hello pewter!), sorta sassy (the back of the spoon shows each animals rear!) and totally charming. Thanks Sandra!
When you were a kid, what did you want to do when you grew up?
According to a “book” I wrote in the third grade I wanted to be a “bird – artist”, whatever that is. But, in a way, I guess that came true, as we use lots of bird motifs in our work.
What part of the creative process do you enjoy most?
Brainstorming about ideas and then executing the piece out of metal. The sort of middle stage -designing what the piece will actually look like – is the most difficult.
What's happening? What does the rest of 2009 hold?
Lots more baby/kids things and hopefully some floral inspired serving pieces. We are in doing lots of product development right now. Also I am going to school to learn the craft of chasing and repousse for two weeks this June.
Cuckooboo is a blast to what could otherwise be a borning, overlooked product. Pacifiers clips, perhaps have the tendency to look sort of stupid... or maybe make you look like a crazed anti-germ momma? Dah! Cuckooboo just makes ya'll look cool. Super hip mom with the urban chic paci clip. Dang. Thanks Jacquie!
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a secretary, not sure why, but I remember that is what I wanted to be along with adopting some kids.
You are obviously an innovative mom -- what inspired you to start Cuckooboo?
I have always been creative, into art , photography and design, I have always had this feeling that I wanted to have my own business, like owning a thrift store, lol. But I never thought I would be selling my own creations and having people love them.
What's happening? What does the rest of 2009 hold?
I am currently working on an adult line of hair accessories, feathery and couture. I just introduced some new wool felt head bands and hair clips, really fun. I have a few shows lined up this summer and fall and I am always on the lookout for inspiring fabrics!
We just don't stop. f&f now carries the much loved, super designy Cabine crib and dresser-changer by Netto Collection. How fantastic is that?
The Cabine changer-dresser is really cool. The image above shows the piece with it's "flat top" -- with a flip, it turns into a changing tray with compartments to hold a changing pad, diapers, etc....!
Plus Cabine is fun to say.
If I was going to be stranded on a dessert island and had to pick my top 3 baby things...... a sling would be my #1 thing I would pick. My 2 boys have made me into an official babywearing advocate.
So I am super crazy excited to now be carrying Sakura Bloom's amazing slings on f&f -- I am knocked out by all those greys! Available in a wide range of linen and silk fabric options (even organic!) and endless array of colors.
Wow. My favorite? This one in storm.
If you want to know what a wall mobile is, then look no further than Oras.
Oras has super swanky designs that are part mobile (they hang and dangle and cast shadows) and part wall art (they hang on the wall, looking beautiful).
Available in wide variety of colors and 3 shape designs, a little bit of something for any room.
Also, check out the Oras clocks (shown above left). They are laser cut from walnut - wow!
Kristen Angelo knows whats up. She thoughtfully designs practical pieces.... that have some urban edginess for your tot. Hello kerchief! Thanks Kristen!
What did you want to be when you grew up?
A designer. At age 12 my friends were getting grounded for kissing boys or not calling home on time – I got grounded for spray painting antique dishware black and habitually rearranging the house while my parents were out.
Boopalina + Bebe products are incredibly well conceived, thoughtful in purpose + design. What motivates this? What sparks you?
Some products are designed from my personal experiences as a mom. Some products are developed by literally draping fabric over my tot and drafting a pattern. Others, often my personal favs and our most successful products, evolve from fluke and are nudged by a little random creativity. I pull a lot of inspiration from pattern, color, texture, contemporary appeal, the flamboyant spirit of youth. I love thumbing through a classic design book or interiors magazine and translating themes and elements to children’s design.
What does 2009 hold for you?
We’re expecting an appearance from baby no. 3 in October, and I'm hoping to gain momentum on the renovation of our 1920's craftsman home. I look forward to expanding our range of products and print selections, transitioning to organic textiles grown and milled in the US, and introducing a new vintage modern collection of stretched canvas wall art. In March we were approached by a major nationwide retailer interested in launching some of our products…I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what unfolds.
What do all the May Forest Finds have in common? Birds and awesomeness.
Clothing designer Shirin Roubeni of Shirin Kids has taken tees + onesies to a new level: ruffles. Enough said. Ruffles.
Lisa Golightly of Kiki & Polly not only does the most amazing custom portraits, but also has a whole collection of prints that are so Portland-ish (cloudy, witty, relaxed) as well as a set of 123 counting cards.
If you did not get a chance to get your Charley Harper fill at Old Navy this past Christmas, now's your chance. Ammo Books brings you the complete Charley Harper kids collection. yeah.
Beehive designers Sandra and Jim have created the cutest pewter baby spoons that have instant heirloom written all over them.
And Cuckooboo. Saving one pacifier at a time from hitting the ground. Designer Jacquie Barker has created the hipest paci clip you've ever seen.
Happy Friday! We've decided to get cozy with the much beloved Dwellstudio. f&f now carries the complete dwellbaby and dwellkid collections, including all the matching do-diddies, decor and soft play toys.
I am totally loving the yellow of the Gio Lemon (above bib and crib set, right) and of Dragonfly. And having 2 boys myself, the Transportation pattern is really quite fun.
As if Beaba wasn't already cool enough with their Babycook they have recently added the Multi Portions to their lineup.
Made of BPA-free silicone, the Multi Portions has 7, 2-oz. cups with a tight fitting lid for freezing your baby's favorite sweet or savory foods. And you know what else it'd be good for? A toddler snack tray.
Brilliant. Available in 4 snappy colors, that green is fantastic.
Also, be sure to check out My Life With The Beaba Babycook!
What's a top selling stroller at f&f? It's a hotty at a great price. The Bumbleride Indie and Indie Twin.
Bumbleride came out with some dashing new colors for 2009 (vita and lava!) plus something else new: a carrycot for your newborn. Swoon!
I personally have the Indie Twin for my 3 year old + 10 month old and use it for my daily walks. The only time in the day that everyone is quiet + content to listen to the birds and hold pinecones.
Bumbleride love!
Richard Hutten is one cool cookie. He's designed quite a handful of spaces, furniture pieces and objects... including the Dumbo Cup for kids.
Hutten's work is part of the permanent collections of, among others, Central Museum Utrecht, Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art Amsterdam, Vitra Museum Weil am Rhein, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Ever heard of Droog? He's part of that too.
The Dumbo Cup is big and clunky.... and a lot of fun to use and eat snacks out of too!
To kick off the Month of May + the BKLYN DESIGNS show we have teamed up with Argington to offer 10% off all Argington products for the month of May.
How fun is that?
If you live in NYC, be sure to check out 7th annual BKLYN DESIGNS and meet Jenny Argie and Andrew Thornton of Argington! The show will be held May 8 - 10, 2009, at St. Ann's Warehouse, 38 Water Street in DUMBO, Brooklyn.
To read more about the creative force behind Argington, click here.
Happy May 1st, my friends! Before we reveal the May Forest Finds I have 1 more tasty morsel for you: 9spotmonk, which was an April Forest Finds.
Make a letterpress lover out of your tot at an early age with 9spotmonk: a lovely assortment of letterpress notebooks, bookplates and color-in placemats!
The placemats (shown above, right) would also make great sheets of wrapping paper once your kid has colored them in, given that she did not eat lunch on it first!
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